More than 200 cancer survivors, supporters and fitness fanatics jumped, waved and worked up a sweat to raise money for cancer research and awareness at CIBC FirstCaribbean's "Soca for the Cure" fitness fundraiser at Melia Nassau Beach Resort's ballroom. It was the first event in a series of activities leading up to the bank's annual Walk for the Cure fundraising seson, which leads up to the bank's regional fundraiser, the Walk for the Cure on Oct. 2. (Photo: CIBC FirstCaribbean)
More than 200 cancer survivors, supporters and fitness fanatics jumped, waved and worked up a sweat to raise money for cancer research and awareness at CIBC FirstCaribbean's "Soca for the Cure" fitness fundraiser at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort's ballroom. It was the first in a series of activities leading up to the bank's annual Walk for the Cure fundraising season, which leads up to the bank's regional fundraiser, the Walk for the Cure on October 2.
Fitness instructor Macumbla "Comby" Smith of Caribbean Sweat Fitness led the group in the "socaerobics" workout. The feteing was interspersed with performances from local artists Bodine Johnson, Wendi and Dyson Knight.
Soca enthusiast Sarsha Taylor said she couldn't think of a better way to support a great cause.
"The event was amazing. The energy was crazy. I am looking forward to many more events like this," said Taylor. "I am a part of Comby's Caribbean Sweat Fitness group, so I wanted to support [this]. I have had friends that have been affected by cancer and it touched their whole families. I do whatever I can to support this cause; if cancer touches one of us it touches all of us."
The Bahamas Cancer Society (BCS) has received proceeds from Walk for the Cure for the past five years and had representatives present to distribute information about cancer detection and prevention.
BCS member Patrice Adderley said partnership is needed in the fight against cancer.
"We are delighted to come to events like this to raise awareness," said Adderley.
Members of the business community provided in-kind donations that helped to make the event possible. The D'Albenas Agency provided healthy snacks, and representatives of Caribbean Bottling Company provided Dasani water and Powerade to participants.
"We partnered with CIBC FirstCaribbean's Walk for the Cure last year, and it was very successful. We are looking forward to the event again this year," said Sasha Pratt, marketing coordinator for Caribbean Bottling Company. "We love to help out whenever we can, so we came on board very quickly when we heard about the Soca for the Cure."
Melia donated the space for the event.
"We have a few coworkers at Melia Nassau Beach All-Inclusive who have been affected by the disease, so this is our way of showing that we care," said Latoya Hanna-Moxey, senior sales and marketing manager. "There's room for all of us to be a part of assisting this cause."
Maya Nottage, marketing manager at CIBC FirstCaribbean, expressed the bank's appreciation for the support it received.
"This was really a community effort. We're extremely grateful to all of our corporate partners who so generously donated their products and services to make this event a success. We're also grateful to Comby and the dynamic Caribbean Sweat Fitness team for helping us to create such a unique fundraising experience."
Other sponsors and donors for the event included The Sports Center, BTC, British Colonial Hilton, Master Creation Signs and Graphics, Phat Groove Eblast Marketing, Lighting Audiovisual, Print Masters, The Nassau Guardian, The Tribune Media Group and Anudda Production.
This will be the fifth year that CIBC FirstCaribbean hosts the fun run-walk. Last year 1,000 participants registered for the walk in The Bahamas and over $77,000 was donated to eight local cancer charities.
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